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There is perhaps nothing more annoying than receiving a high energy bill, especially when you have had as many heat waves as we have had this summer. While some of this might be obvious, we thought it might be a good idea give refresher on a couple ways to cut energy costs.

Close the blinds and curtains

While it may make it a little dark in the home, closing the blinds and curtains will keep the sun and any excessive heat out. This action will in turn prevent the air conditioner from having to run more frequently and for longer periods of time. If your home doesn’t have an air conditioner, it will also help keep the room temperature at bay in the home.

Appliances

Try running them on off peak times. Hydro companies charge less during these hours – check your service provider for rates and times.

Also, if budget permits, consider purchasing or replacing your appliances with green energy efficient products. You may also find that there are added incentives and discounts from manufacturers when purchasing such products.

Power Bars, electronics and lights

Make sure to turn off power bars, unplug electronics and turn off lights when not in use. You may be surprised at the amount of energy being used by them. Making this simple change will help to decrease your energy usage, helping to lower your costs.

Water Heater

Turn down your water heater! While we all enjoy having hot water, you may be surprised to find that you can still achieve the water temperature you desire even with your water heater set at a lower temperature. Remember: keeping it at a high temperature requires a significant more amount of energy.

Maintenance

Maintaining your home, its devices and appliances play an important role in energy efficiency. When your appliances aren’t maintained properly, they don’t run as efficiently and this can contribute to increased energy costs.

For coupons and more tips on saving energy visit www.saveonenergy.ca. This is a great resource for any home owner.

What is the absolute worst part about moving? Packing! Whether it be the actual task of boxing something, making sure breakables are wrapped and protected or simply taping up the boxes, no one enjoys packing for a move. What if we told you we had some advice and tricks that could help you with the process – good news, we do!

Jewelry

Jewelry is always a tricky one. When it comes to valuables, personally escorting it from and to your new location might be a good idea. When it comes to the less valuable every day jewelry such as earrings and necklaces, consider packing them in old egg cartons, before places in a box. This will not only keep them organized, but will also protect them.

Another great idea is to thread your necklaces and bracelets through a straw to prevent tangling.

Kitchenware

When packing plates, we would recommend purchasing a roll of bubble wrap for added protection. This can be purchased at an office store or even the post office. When placing the plates in the box, try placing them standing up instead of lying flat. This will allow you to fit more in the box. To give them added protection, wrap them individually and then in groups of 6 to 8.

Glasses and cups

Ever wondered what to do with that solo sock whose partner has somehow gone missing? Use them to stuff inside the glass to prevent from breaking. Other tricks include turning handles inward when packing to maximize space. Another great alternative when packing cups and glasses is to use beer and wine boxes from the liquor store, which are free.

Clothing

When it comes to moving clothing from dressers and hutches, consider leaving the clothes in the drawer and protecting it with plastic wrap. You already have to move the drawers, so why create double the work for yourself. When it comes to your closet wardrobe you might want to invest in moving boxes that allow you to keep your clothing hung. This will allow for a simple transfer back into the closet and save you loads of time.

Electronics

Electronic cords are a frequent frustration when packing and unpacking. To keep the cords organized and to remember what electronics the cords are for, invest in zip ties and plastic tabs for labeling. While it might seem like a little extra work at first, it could save you hours in the long run.

Packing always takes longer than you think, so make sure you start immediately – especially with purging and donating!

Our garage is one part of the home that at some point, everyone has vowed to keep clean and organized. It also has a tendency to become the homes storage centre. As many of us can probably attest, it’s not uncommon to see cars parked in the driveway due to a cluttered garage filled with yard tools, bikes, toys etc. What many don’t realize is that an organized garage will not only look great, but it can help the resale value of your home down the road, should you choose to sell.

While organizing a garage will take some time and effort, it can be easily achieved with some quick fixes. If you were ever thinking about having a garage sale, now might be the perfect time. After all, they’re called “garage sales” for a reason.

The first recommendation would be to familiarize yourself with what exactly is in your garage. Do you need the old newspapers in boxes from your last move? Have the kids grown out of those bikes? Will you ever use they dusty table saw in the back corner? Once you establish what it is you want to purge and what is you want to keep, you will be able to move on to the next step; organization.

Try to group your items into categories like: toys, seasonal, lawn care, automotive etc. Once that has been established, you can decide how you want it organized. Stores like Walmart, Home Depot and Canadian Tire offer many different storage products that are not only affordable, but customizable. Consider placing shelving along the ceiling of the garage to open up floor space for your vehicles. Storage bins are also a great idea. Consider defining a garbage and recycling area that is convenient and out of the way. If you really want to take organization to the next level, consider a label maker so that you know exactly what everything is and where it is.